From the Pastor – Dec. 23, 2018
“AT THAT TIME SINCE MARY WAS OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID…SHE WAS WITH CHILD, HAVING CONCEIVED VIRGINALLY. HER TIME WAS COME…CHRIST IS BORN TO RENEW THE LIKENESS THAT HAS BEEN LOST OF OLD.”
A Christmas Sourcebook, p. 27
We have spent the time of Advent in hope and expectation that the presence of Emmanuel would be revealed in various signs and wonders. Emmanuel is continually present to us, as we look for him to return again in glory.
The Christmas Season is one of joy and celebration because God became one of us, and he would live and grow as we do. But the presence of Emmanuel was more than just an ordinary birth; it was the beginning of our salvation. Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ as the fulfillment of the Father to send us a Savior. But this season also reminds us of the seriousness of this event. The birth of Christ changed humanity and filled us with the awe and wonder of a God-made man. This season reminds us that Emmanuel is the ongoing presence of God in our lives and in the world. The world is filled with the radiance of Christ that penetrates the darkness of sin and all the negativity that seems to pervade our world at times.
Emmanuel is the gift of our God to us to celebrate, cherish and give away to others. The gifts we exchange during this season are signs of our love and friendship with one another, but it also celebrates the gift the Father has given to us – his Son.
The wonder of Christ is that Jesus is reborn in our lives each time we are open and receptive to him and all he offers us. This makes the gift even more important and special to us. The challenge for us is to continue the Christmas spirit of joy each day of the year so that the wonder of Emmanuel touches us each day we walk this earth.
From the entire Parish Staff: FR. SILVANO, FR. JOHN, DEACON JERRY, DEACON DAN, NANCY CAPUTO, ANN MARIE GESUALDO, MATT WILSON, CAROLINE PONTERIO, OUR SUPPORT STAFF & MYSELF, I want to extend to you and your families our best wishes for a MERRY & BLESSED CHRISTMAS AND CHRISTMAS SEASON. May this time of year be one of peace and joy for all of you and for our parish.
BUON NATALE!!!